Cleveland Guardians Trade Harold Ramirez and J.C. Mejia, Sign Sandy León

The Guardians’ roster shuffling continues, as the team traded outfielder Harold Ramirez and pitcher J.C. Mejia Monday while signing catcher Sandy León.

The Cleveland Guardians made a slight flurry of moves Monday, parting ways with a few players taken off the 40-man roster while signing a familiar face.

The Guardians traded outfielder Harold Ramirez and pitcher J.C. Mejia, both of whom were designated for assignment as the team adjusted its 40-man roster to make room for a new wave of prospects. Ramirez was traded to the Chicago Cubs for cash considerations and Mejia was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers for a player to be named later or that sweet, sweet cash.

It was a bit of a surprise to see Ramirez designated for assignment last week. Though he left something to be desired defensively, Ramirez was a solid-enough contributor for the Guardians when healthy, hitting .268/.305/.398 with seven home runs, 21 doubles and a 90 wRC+ in 361 plate appearances with the team. Nothing that will blow you away, but it seemed more likely the team would part with either Bradley Zimmer or Oscar Mercado over Ramirez, who plays hard and makes solid contact. But that’s production the team is betting on from younger names added to the 40-man and, more likely, from a player yet to be acquired elsewhere.

Mejia just needs a new environment after being shell-shocked filling in for the battered rotation this season. He had an 8.25 ERA in 52 1/3 innings (and eleven starts), and while he could have found a place in the Guardians bullpen moving forward, the team felt it was probably best to give him a fresh start elsewhere.

The Guardians also did some acquiring Monday, signing catcher Sandy León to a minor-league contract with an invitation to spring training. You might remember León from his 2020 stint with Cleveland in which he hit .136 in 66 at-bats. The Guardians are likely to throw a lot at the backup catching wall to see what sticks this year, as Austin Hedges is likely to be the starter for the foreseeable future.

Steve DiMatteo is the host of the California Penal League Podcast, which you can find on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and anywhere else you get your podcasts.